The 2018 Cohort

Ali Almubarak, originally from Saudi Arabia by way of the United States for the last seven years, is finishing off his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Boise State University through an endowment scholarship from the Saudi Arabian government. Almubarak has come to Taiwan to partner with Utechzone Co.,LTD. to help develop a robotic sensor. Almubarak will be pioneering new high tech solutions alongside Computer Science students from Providence University in Taichung, Taiwan. After Taiwan, Almubarak hopes to secure a foothold in the American Industrial Technology sector.

Amy is an accountancy student minoring in Chinese language. After attending an intensive summer language program last year at National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan quickly became her favorite place in the world. Before she had even returned home, she vowed to come back as soon as she could. Luckily, Asia Biztech came together for its inaugural year and she is really excited to experience Taiwan in a different, professional capacity. She strongly believes gaining experience in how to work in a different culture is invaluable and will be a great benefit to her career regardless of where she lands.

Jack is a sophomore studying Political Science and Global Studies in the School of Public Service. He has gotten involved on campus with the Leadership & Engagement Community, Political Science Association, Philosophy Club, the BSU-United Nations Association, The Ethos Project, and the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. Previously a Vice-President of the Political Science Association and now Vice-President of Pi Sigma Alpha, Jack’s interests in Asia, technology, and US-Taiwan-China relations are rooted in the social sciences. As one of two School of Public Service students in the Global Biztech Program, he will be interning at the Taiwan-USA Industrial Promotion Office.

Nick Giegerich is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Applied Mathematics at Boise State University. Asia BizTech has allowed him the opportunity to learn about the dynamic business aspects of Southeast Asia. Giegerich has also been fortunate enough to work with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), who is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. He hopes that skills learned through this program will allow him to jumpstart his career in today’s tech driven society.

Amy is a senior in the political science department studying international relations. She is so excited to be a part of the inaugural Asia Biztech cohort! She is looking forward to both learning about the culture in Taiwan and evaluating United States’ culture from a different perspective. Particularly exciting for her is the opportunity to work within a Taiwanese company. She is happy to be back in Taiwan creating new connections, making new friends, and visiting her family.

Rhett Suciu is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at Boise State University. After completing a B.S. in Biology from University of Puget Sound, Suciu hopes to combine his science background with his future business pursuits. Through his passion for travel and learning about new cultures Suciu found Asia BizTech and he hopes to use his internship experience at Nexcom International in Taipei to lend him an edge above the competitors allowing him to acquire international positions within multinational companies in the future, whilst learning as much about Asia’s culture and wisdom along the way.

Lucas Swope is an young entrepreneur, charity founder, and an undergraduate senior studying International Business with a completed intermediate French certification from Boise State University. Diversity and integration are cornerstone to his experience working and living abroad in Kenya, France, Taiwan and on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Currently based in Taiwan working for Nexcom international. Swope hopes to bring his international experience of IoT and hands on project experience back to his hometown of Boise, Idaho in the form of his next meaningful project.

Savannah Willits is senior studying both urban studies and community development, and minoring in economics. In the future, she will study international planning at the graduate level. Willits currently is the co-director of the Ethos Project, a student organization focused on promoting undergraduate student voices. She also is an volunteer at Intensive English Program (IEP) aimed at helping refugees, exchange students, and immigrants. She believe learning while traveling enriches and enlightens our life narrative.  Strength finder traits: Achiever. Input. Intellection. Learner. Discipline